A comparison of the diagnostic utility of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio versus PlGF alone for the detection of preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The Elecsys(®) immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and the Triage(®) PlGF assay were compared (in a prospective, multicenter, case-control study) for diagnosis of preeclampsia/hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. METHODS: Women in European perinatal care centers with singleton pregnancies were enrolled: 178 cases had confirmed preeclampsia and 391 controls had normal outcome. Patients in the preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome group were matched pairwise by gestational week to healthy controls (1:2). Maternal blood samples were analyzed using (a) fully automated Elecsys PlGF and Elecsys sFlt-1 immunoassays with two cutoffs (early-onset [<34 weeks] ≤33, ≥85; late-onset [≥34 weeks] ≤33, ≥110), and (b) Triage PlGF immunoassay (single cutoff). Diagnostic performance and utility were assessed. RESULTS: Respectively, 83 and 95 women had early-onset or late-onset preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome. The overall diagnostic performance of the Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (area under the curve [AUC] 0.941) was higher than for Triage PlGF (AUC 0.917). The Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio sensitivity and specificity was: 94.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86.5-98.0) and 99.4% (95% CI: 96.8-99.9) for early-onset preeclampsia; and 89.5% (95% CI: 81.5-94.8) and 95.4% (95% CI: 91.7-97.8) for late-onset preeclampsia. The Triage assay sensitivity and specificity was: 96.4% (95% CI: 89.8-99.3) and 88.5% (95% CI: 82.8-92.8) (early-onset); and 90.5% (95% CI: 83-96) and 64.5% (95% CI: 57.8-70.9) (late onset). CONCLUSIONS: The fully automated Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio provides improved diagnostic utility over the Triage PlGF assay with improved specificity for the clinical management of pregnant women with suspected preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome.

Comparison of external fixation, locking and non-locking palmar plating for unstable distal radius fractures in the elderly.

This study compares the effectiveness of locking and non-locking palmar plating and external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures in the elderly. In a retrospective match-paired study, 45 patients aged 50 to 70 years who underwent surgery for C1/C2 distal radius fractures were evaluated. The surgical procedures were external fixation or plating with locking or non-locking palmar plates. Radiological and functional outcomes were assessed. Outcomes according to Gartland and Werley, Martini and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire were compared. The locking palmar plate fixation method demonstrated significantly better radiological and functional results in comparison to external fixation and the non-locking palmar plating methods. The subjective assessment of plate fixation proved to be better than that of external fixation. Complications and reoperations were fewer for both plate fixation groups. Our data indicates that most displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures can be treated successfully with the locking palmar plate.

[Long-term results after mediocarpal and total arthrodesis of the wrist--a matched paired study]. / Langzeitergebnisse nach mediokarpaler Teilarthrodese und nach Vollarthrodese des Handgelenks -- Ein Matched-Pair-Vergleich.

AIM: Indications for total wrist arthrodesis are still a matter of discussion. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term results (mean 118 +/- 49.5 months) of total wrist arthrodesis (TA) in comparison to mediocarpal arthrodesis (MA). METHOD: A paired study of the TA group and the MA group was performed including 22 patients after posttraumatic wrist arthrosis in each group. Subjective, objective and radiological parameters were assessed. In addition, the modified Mayo wrist score, the DASH score and the SF-36 were utilized. RESULTS: Mean pain did not differ significantly in both groups. Mean wrist function (DASH) was assessed better by MA patients (25.3 +/- 25.8) compared to TA patients (35.5 +/- 25.9; p > 0.1). Mean total wrist motion in the MA group was 66.1 % of the opposite side. The average grip strength of the TA group was 85.5 % +/- 58.4 % and of the MA group 79.9 % +/- 25.4 % of the uninvolved wrist. The Mayo score of the MA group (56.4 +/- 12.4) was significantly higher than in the TA group (65.9 +/- 16.3; p = 0.04). The SF-36 showed no significant difference between both groups. CONCLUSION: In self-assessment, pain was of higher importance then wrist motion. According to our findings the type of arthrodesis did not influence patient satisfaction. Total wrist arthrodesis should not be excluded categorically as a possible alternative to mediocarpal arthrodesis.

[A national hand surgery alloarthroplasty registry]. / Ein nationales Endoprothesenregister für die Handchirurgie.

In hand surgery multiple different alloarthroplasties are available. However, the clinical outcome of them is largely unknown. Therefore, clinical evaluation of the different alloarthroplasties is essential. To ensure the quality standards that exist in endoprostheses of large joints the initialization of a central alloarthroplasty registry is essential.

[Results of ligament reconstruction in advanced scapholunate dissociation]. / Ergebnisse der skapholunären Bandplastik zur Therapie der fortgeschrittenen skapholunären Dissoziation.

Scapholunate dissociation is one of the most common disorders of the wrist. Untreated it might lead to osteoarthrosis (scapholunate advanced collapse, SLAC wrist). Choosing the best surgical treatment option is still challenging, especially in cases of carpal collapse in combination with beginning osteoarthrosis of the radial styloid and the proximal pole of the scaphoid. We report the results of a homogenous group of eight patients with reducible carpal collapse and beginning arthrosis treated by reconstruction of the scapholunate ligament. The operation was performed 66 (range: 20 to 252) months after trauma. The average length of follow-up was two years. Five patients stated general improvement, while three reported a change for the worse. At follow-up, the average total range of motion of the operated wrist was decreased by 16 % compared to the unaffected side. The average grip-strength (measured with a Jamar dynamometer) was 77 % of the uninvolved wrist. The DASH score was 43 +/- 25. In three cases the Martini score showed a good or an excellent result. The average scapholunate angle was 72.3 degrees preoperatively and decreased to 61.0 degrees at follow-up. At follow-up as well as pre- and postoperatively the carpal height ratio showed pathologic mean values. Therefore, reconstruction of the carpal alignment was not achieved in most of the cases. Progression of the osteoarthrosis has to be expected. Reconstruction of the scapholunate ligament for treatment of carpal collapse with beginning osteoarthrosis therefore remains an unsolved problem.